Moving From T5HO to PAR30 - 29 Gal - Input Welcome

Great forum and a wealth of knowledge.

I currently have a Biocube 29 Gal that has been running for about 12 months. The tank does great! It contains a variety of corals including LPS and SPS. My current setup is an AuquaticLife 4x20" 18W T5 light. Two of their standard white and blue that come with the kit. I'm at the point where I need to change the bulbs. I've consider staying with T5's but at the 20" length I dont feel I have great options.

A year ago I wanted to move to an LED setup. There's a ton of DIY information through many forums, but what I felt was lacking was a solid in-place ready to use LED upgrade. I simply don't have the time or free cycles to dive into a DIY project. Thus, I purchased the old standy-by, T5!

Now, a year later there seems to be many improvement and advances in LED solution sets. Here are my goals, what I'd like to obtain from my light choice:

I'm not looking for a ton of light, I dont need a Sun ball in the corner of the living room. More than lots of light is a rich color of corals. Enough growth light to sustain SPS without issue and bring the colors to life! I feel like the T5'c can do that for a short period of time but soon the colors can wash out as the light looses its functionality. I'd like to have the shimmer of light as well that a MH offers.

WIth those requirements I'm strongly considering the PAR30 from BoostLED. The setup would be: 2x 2RB, 1Blue, 1Cool and Neutral @60 Degree, one on each side and 1x 4RB and 1Cool @60 Degree mounted on the rear.

I like the simplicity of the mount that BoostLED offers. I think the look is something different than you see on traditional tanks. I've entertained the MU135 but I dont care for the mounting options I'm left with where the currently is placed in the living room.

Other things I've consider is a T5 - PAR30 Combo. Whites T5 growth and using the PAR30 for the blues. But for the most part, an all LED solution.

Any input would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

you can try reefwerks...they're a step above DIY basically you buy the kit and they assemble it and send it to you....i paid $505 for a 36 LED kit including the LEDs, optics, fans, drivers, dimmers, heatsinks, hanging kit, etc

you would probably be fine with a 12 or 18 kit shoot them an email